Monday 26th July

After a wonderful meal and a good sleep at Lawrence's house, we woke up at 5.55am to try and miss the heavy traffic into Kampala. As we drove through the dark, wet streets of Mukono we were all wondering if the day will live up to the past week's experiences and what we had achieved. As we arrived at the Fairway Hotel (the venue for our end event) we were all a little quiet, which could have been due to the projecting finishing or the fact that we would normally have run 25km by that time of the morning.

After some initial discussions and "positive challenges" in ensuring the arrangements were in place for the end event we realised that a 10am start would be very hard to achieve and that our final 5km run in to the venue may not even happen. In the end the event started at 11.15am and due to the time of day/ heat and the fact that we needed to ensure the arrangements were in place, the final 5km didn't take place... This was disappointing as it would have ended the event but we had reached Kampala the previous day and along the route we had run many more Km's in and out of towns with the local volunteers. As the tent went up, the PA system was unpacked and the soda's arrived, we had time to share the thoughts on the project with the volunteers, Red Cross staff and some of the sponsors. It was good to have Godfrey with us again (from Inside Uganda tours) and Joseph (from GEOlodges), who had run with us as we left the Rainforest Lodge in Mabira Forest to Lugazi.  Joseph explained that he could now see why we were doing the project and how it was making such a positive impact.

The event was a low key with a few of our sponsors attending and sharing their views on the project.  It was nice to hear people's feedback and have a closing event but it was a little disappointment that we didn't have more volunteers, branches, supporters and community members at the event. In hindsight, maybe we should have had more ownership in the final event but the ownership has to be with the community and the partner organisation. At the event we heard how much the communities and volunteers value the project and we also wanted to thank everyone who had supported the project back home.

The event finished and we said farewell to Eirya and Michael who returned to Budaka and as we sat down with a cold drink we missed our friends already. We had a meeting with Lawrence to discuss the project this year and evaluate the successes and positive challenges. Sometimes in Uganda things take too long to happen and this can affect the impact in the community but we need to support the improvement of these systems. We reflected on our feelings on the project and the impact on the communities but also would we do it again???

The time had drifted on and we had to dash to the markets to buy some gifts for our supporters and try and pack a few items. We decided to go for a meal up the road from the hotel and as we passed the army and security we met the Nigerian President's convoy going to an event at their Embassy. We sat down for dinner and started to reflect on the achievements and the adventures we had been through. Even though the meal was good we felt a little flat, which could have been due to the fact that the project had ended and we had low key closure or we were just so tired???

Sunday 25th July

After a relaxing night in the rain forest lodge and listening to the animal noises all night we woke up at 5am and after a quick wash there was breakfast for some of the team.

We met our friends from GEOlodges at the main road and ran with them to Lugazi.

It was a great pleasure running with the fun and energetic team from GEOlodges. Thank you so much for your support all through this project and we did appreciate you getting us off to a great start in the morning.

All the team ran well today and completed 15km legs each. We were joined by other Red Cross volunteers on the last leg to Kampala and even the Major at Mukono!! We met the local volunteers on the way who were running first aid and road safety demonstrations to the local community and buda buda drivers/ motorbike riders.

The volunteers have done an amazing job and the branch have made such a difference to the communites.  I would like to say thank you to all the volunteers and community members that have helped us on this project, it has been a pleasure to work with you all.

As we left Mukono and entered the Kampala suburbs it dawned on us that we had done an amazing job on getting through the run this year and the weather has supported us!!! We have only one day left and there is just a 5km to the closing event to come...

After reaching Kampala, we retraced our journey to Mukono and was welcomed by Patrick and his team of volunteers. He reported that over 60 volunteers had been trained in first aid and they would now be training others in first aid over the next few months. We were given a demonstration of the skills that they had learn't and heard how active they are.

Saturday 24th July

Today started with the the usual excitement of a 5am wake up call and discovering your dream of having new legs hadn't really happened!!! So after a quick wash we left the accommodation at 5.25am and retraced our extra km's we ran the previous day... We were so keen to "enjoy" the hills on the route we started running early at 5.58am... The first 10km was tough and was a roller coaster of hills which required some deep heat on the sore legs and a few bottles of Rwenzori water to recover. We were joined after 10km by the volunteers of Jinja branch and Greg "no pain" Harrand put it a good second leg.

During this leg we entered Jinja with our escort of police and Red Cross support, which took us to the Jinja branch office and a brief function. The events at Jinja the previous year was a highlight of the 2009 project and even though the event was only brief, the branch was well organised as always. We had some speeches from the Vice Chairman (a very wise and long serving Red Cross volunteer who is a true inspiration to us all), the branch representatives and all the runners... 

The Jinja branch has a good feeling to it and is a branch that will always deliver 100% effort to every project. As we left the branch office we all ran together over the River Nile and gathered at the Nile Brewery, where the local volunteers ran one of their first aid and road safety sessions with the local community and buda buda riders.

As we left the brewery we realised that the next 30km of the day will be very tough with the hills of the Maberia forest.  As we travelled through the rolling hills of the tea and sugar cane plantations the weather warmed up for us and allowed us to feel the harsh heat of Uganda. The hills of the forest pushed us very hard and we need to motivate ourselves with positive thoughts to get us through. The support from the local Red Cross volunteers and police was excellent and we wouldn't have been able to achieve the run safely if it wasn't for them... "Thank you so much"...

As we ran up the final hill to the trading centre (our finishing point for the day) we met the roast chicken and fruit sellers who have come to know us so well over the years and are so impressed with our efforts. After a celebrational roast goat on a stick, we left for our accommodation for the night "The Rainforest Lodge" which GEOlodges Africa and Emily have supported us with. As the jeep followed the track in the forest, I got out  of the jeep and decided to walk the 2km to the lodge and reflect on our achievements. The sore blisters suddenly disappered and I realised that our efforts were very good but nothing compared to the amazing volunteers in the branches who had trained and educated thousands of people in the community and will save so many lives.

Tomorrow will be our big push to Kampala and will leave us with only 10km on Monday and the end function.

Friday 23rd July

The day started at 5am in the dark of the hotel and without power it took a little longer to get ready for some of us!!! We left Bugiri at 6am and headed out of the dark roads with the flashes of lightning. The team continued the running relay with 10kms each and during the first 10km of the day it was a slow incline in the rain. As the first 10km was completed the weather changed and it was warm but dry for the next lucky runner.

We reached the edge of Iganga and the first 30km of the day in record time. We were joined by the Red Cross volunteers who had been delivering the training and wanted to run through Iganga town with us. We had decided to try and run an extra 10km on the other side of Iganga, to reduce the distance for the following day (which would be a very long day). As we were encouraged by the the local volunteers we continued and actually covered an extra 26km!!!!

After picking up the daily bananas (which is our stable diet for breakfast in the jeep), we headed back to Iganga town for a function at which point we realised that the distance we had covered was far more than we had thought!!

The branch had arranged a run around town to the function which was to promote road safety and we also had the support from the local police. During the fuction we also had more television and newspaper interviews, the only challenge we have now, is to get copies of them..

After the function we were invited to lunch by the branch where we enjoyed fish, goat, rice and matoke. We did discuss the fried flying ants but they didn't have any available but we did agree that we could make a good omelette with onions, garlic and grasshoppers!!

 

Tomorrow will be a tough day with us running in and out of Jinja but also up the hills of the Mabera forest but the reward at the end of the day will be a night in the cool forest thanks to GeoLodges....   

We even had a few animals cheering us on....

Thursday 22nd July

After a noisy night due to the other hotel residents not realising being in bed at 9pm is appropiate when you are getting up and 5am, we packed our bags and headed out to the Tororo roads. Today we headed down the busy road that links the Kenyan border to Iganga, Jinja and Kampala. As it is such a busy road we were expecting support from the local police but it was even too early a start for them, but our team in the Red Cross vehicles provided good protection ... however Martin did highlight that the boda boda drivers (motor bike taxis) shouldn't try and join in the run and get in our way!

The community were really good today and greeted us as travelled down the main road but also encouraged us with cheers and smiles. All the children tried to join us on the run even for 100 metres.

As we headed into Bugiri we climbed a steep hill (well it felt steep after a day of running and covering over 56km) and at the top we were joined by Margaret (the RDC for Bugiri and an old friend). As Margaret and other officials joined the Red Cross volunteers, we ran into town with a convoy that grew and grew. As we arrived at our finishing point and venue for the official function we danced with the local community in celebration of the achievements of the project.

At the end event we heard about how the support we had given the branch had allowed them to train trainers and then disseminate this infomation to young people and the local community. It was good to hear that the support to the community was really appreciated and they had already reached over 1000 people with training. We heard that the HIV rate in parts of the community had reached over 14% and that the Red Cross was supporting education in this. The function was quite long and lasted about 2.5 hrs, which was a little long if you had got up at 5am, however it is important to ensure the community are engaged and have ownership of the project.

As we left the event we had a tour of the adminstration offices and the new plot of land given to the Red Cross to build an office on.

After this we arrived at our accommodation for the evening and enjoyed a meal with the Red Cross officials and hosted by Margaret. As it had reached 5pm we had just enough time to wash our clothes, conclude the arrangements for Friday, have a light tea and fall asleep at 8.58pm....

Wednesday 21st July

Day two of the run began at 5am with the sound of rain hitting the tin roof in the Iki Iki Hilton. It was a cool morning and we travelled to Mbale eating the daily breakfast bananas and ground nuts. We started the day running through the rain and the muddy paths and roads out of Mbale and looking like ducks sliding!!! As we followed the road to Tororo we ran parallel to the Kenyan border and greeted many travellers who had heard we were running today.

The first 30km was achieved in record time (well for us..) in 2.45hrs, but then the next 30km took us even longer as it became hotter. Along the route we did get stuck in a little traffic and at one point we were even over taking bikes..

As we arrived into Tororo we were greeted by the local volunteers and we ran the final 2km (which was actually 5km!) to the Red Cross event. At the event we heard about how they had used the funding we gave them to train first aiders and how they are educating the community in first aid and road safety. It was good to hear about their work and how they are going to continue to educate the community and young people through schools.

We have been interviewed everywhere that we have been and yesterday we were interviewed for the Uganda National Television (NTV) which is been showed throughout the day. We have also been interviewed by the national radio station who have broadcasted the project on all of their channels and in all languages.. so we now expect even more support and engagement in the first aid trainings.

After the long first two days we headed to our accommodation to wash our running kit and clothes for the next day but also finalise some security arrangements.

Tuesday 20th July

We woke up at 5.15am and after a little bread we left for the start of the run at 6am!! We began in the cool of Kachorwa in the Mount Elgon hills at over 6000ft and realised that even the down hills will be tough.

Even though the route appeared to be down hill for the first 25km there were some sharp inclines and then a long 9km climb after sironko.Martin and Greg started the days running with great pace and the theory was to keep Eiirya for later in the run when he would enjoy the heat more!! They began the taking turns and covering the first 30km and were joined by two local volunteers. As Martin chatted to the runners (nicked named Halle), we realised that his fastest half Marathon was 1.06hrs and Marathon was 2.07hrs, then he told us he came 3rd in the Kenyan Marathon... He said we were also strong... but Martin felt he was taking it very easy!!!

The running was hard work and after  we moved through the hills the real African heat hit us... It was fantastic greeting the community and being cheered on by villages and children. They told us that they had been hearing about the project from the radio and also by the local volunteers, but now whated to see for themselves our efforts. We passed the training on route and was impressed by the efforts of the volunteers. As we approached the training centers we would run through the markets with the local volunteers and be welcomed quite vocally!!!

As we reached Soronko at 10am, we realised that it was going to be a very long and hard day. Greg did well up the long hills and even enjoyed "the positive challange"!! After a last push by the Eirya "Super Lizard" we arrived in Mbale at 1pm..... It was great to arrive and be met by a band that marched us through the town and at 1.30pm after 7.5hrs on the road we could sit down and stretch... We had a presentation and heard about all their efforts to trained the community and they had even painted Zebra crossings!!!

We left Mbale at 3.30pm and had a brief visit to the Green Valley Schools and the home for the orphans.Eirya and the team at Green Valley have been trying very hard and are amazing people. We then headed back to the best hotel in Uganda called Hotel Kirya in Iki Iki. It was really nice to be back with Rita and Michael and share real Ugandan food and home life with Greg. At 9pm we decided it was time for wash and bed....

Monday 19th July

Today we woke up at 6.30am and left the Fairway before breakfast for our long day of visits, travelling and the launch of the run for humanity in Kapchorwa. As we left Kampala and snaked our way out of the city, it gave Greg the first chance to see Uganda in day light. As we were too early for Breakfast at the hotel we stopped at Mabira Forest take away to greet some old friends and get something to eat (Banana's, avocado and maize was the order of the day).

We picked up some fruits for Eirya's family and for the next few days.. We arrived at Eirya's house an hour early and had some time with his family. Greg experienced his first meal in a village in Eiryas hut (some irish and meat).

After our fantastic home cooked meal we visited Green Valley School and met with all the children, who then sang and delivered drama to us. We arrived at Mbale to finalise the arrangements for tomorrow and drop off the resources for the road safety awareness and first aid.

We travelled on to Kapchorwa via Soronko and visited the first aid sessions that were being delivered. It was a real honour to see the work going on and the whole community coming together. We found our hotel with the best view in Uganda over looking the plains of Uganda. After a late lunch we began the launch event at the branch with a quick 3km around town to raise awareness, which was fun but not the best after lunch activity..

We have discovered that the air is a little thin up here and it will be a real challange for the first 40km tomorrow!!!  The branch are very active but do need further support, but they feel the support we have given them will make a big difference and save lives...

Sunday 18th July

Todays meeting was with Tom was cancelled as he had to meet his doctor as he has maleria (which is common in Uganda and also one of the biggest killers). Tom is feeling better but will catch up with us later in the trip. Today is our last opportunity to get our plans in place before we are in to the run. The standard daily program will be as follows:

- 5.30am wake up, wash, stretch and banana's

- 6am start running

- 6am-12.30pm running and visiting training sessions on the route

-12.30pm- 3.30pm offical function and presentations

- 3.30pm- 5.30pm wash clothes, plan next day and security update

- 5.30pm-7.30pm updating blogs and website

- 7.30pm dinner

- 9pm bed.

After updating the blog and making sure we had everythig packed for tomorrow we decided to head to 1000 cups of coffee (a good coffee supplier in Kampala). As it was raining and Martin was seriously missing his coffee, we decided to have a coffee to keep warm!!!!!

In an attempt to miss the trafic we travelled to Entebbe early and had some tea and ground nuts by the lake (which is close to the airport). We met Greg and after a 45 minute drive introduced him to the Kampala traffic jams on the way to the hotel. Even though Greg was a little tired we felt we should help him sleep tonight with a quick glass of Nile Special (for medical reasons!!). "Welcome to Uganda Greg"..

Saturday 17th July

We started the day catching up with emails and making sure the arrangements are in place at the branches for next week. The plans are going well and all the branches appear to be very well organised. We met with Patrick (Branch co-ordinator at Mokono) at Mulago hospital, where the Red Cross volunteers have been helping the survivers and relatives of people involved in the Kampala bombings that killed 76 people and injured over 100. The teams are doing an amazing job and highlights that the Red Cross are always at the front to support those in crisis. We discussed the run and training programme with Patrick, which are all in order, and as Patrick put it "we will be even more beautiful this year and even better"..

We then held a meeting with Joram the branch co-ordinator from Kampala East and Lawrence to discuss the closing event and charity auction. We discussed the guests we would invite, the event program, logistics and the security arrangements. We met with Mr Ramakrishnan the general manager from the Fairway Hotel and checked he was happy with the current plans.

We spent the rest of the day getting the final arrangements in place and gaining support for the auction. Tomorrow we will be meeting a very good friend Ambassador Kiirya Powal (Tom) and then after the finalising of the arrangements we will be meeting Greg. I bet he is excited!!!!!!